6 law enforcers 'hurt in clash' with locals
At least six law enforcers including three policemen and three Ansar members were “injured in a clash” with locals in Gondamara union of Banshkhali upazila early yesterday after police went there to conduct an anti-narcotics drive.
During the clash, two firearms were allegedly snatched away from the officials. Those were recovered in the morning after a drive, said police.
Two persons were also arrested. They are Jahir Uddin alias Jahir Master, and his cousin Monirul Islam, said police. According to locals, Jahir is a teacher at a primary school.
A team from Banshkhali Police Station went to Borghona area around midnight to conduct an anti-narcotics drive, said Mofiz Uddin, assistant superintendent of police (Anwara Circle) of Chittagong district police.
“Once they reached near Jahir's house, some people fired at the law enforcers forcing them to retaliate,” he added. Two police officials sustained bullet injuries, he added. Jahir and Monirul were arrested from the spot.
While returning, around 200 locals -- both men and women -- swooped on the law enforcers, said ASP Mofiz. “They started pelting stones at the officials. At one point, the attackers snatched away two firearms from the officials,” he added.
Farhad Ullah, former member of Gondamara union (ward 1), said, “Around midnight, I heard several gunshots in the area. I came to know of the matter when I went to the market in the morning. There were also several police vehicles there.”
Meanwhile, an inspector of Chittagong district police, seeking anonymity, told The Daily Star that Officer-in-Charge Salahuddin of Banshkhali Police Station sent the team without any consent of the high officials.
When asked, Chittagong district Superintendent of Police Noor E Alam Mina said, “I'm not aware of the incident as the OC did not inform me.”
Since morning, this correspondent tried to get in touch with OC Salahuddin for his comments, but he did not pick up his phone.
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